The Port of Redwood City has secured a $1.5 million grant, through the Department of Homeland Security’s Port Security Grant Program, to bolster its defenses against terrorism. The funding will support projects including cybersecurity infrastructure assessments, advanced security equipment installations, and annual emergency exercises to meet Area Maritime Security Plan targets. The grant also covers specialized training for port staff and first responders, along with the acquisition of a 36’ law enforcement patrol vessel equipped for emergency operations. Executive Director Kristine Zortman emphasized the importance of continual advancements in surveillance and emergency preparedness as a FEMA-designated Federal Staging Area. This grant is part of DHS’s $90 million nationwide investment in port security this year.

The best way to leverage this gathering of top industry decision-makers is to sponsor or exhibit.

 

The 2025 AAPA Port Opportunities with Energy, Resilience and Sustainability (POWERS) Summit & Expo—Ports Powered by Purpose in Tampa Bay will host 40+ ports from the U.S., Canada, and South America along with 100+ C-Suite Executives, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Directors. Participants will include policymakers, energy leaders, and environmental experts to drive our conversations on emerging sustainability solutions for the port industry. Plan on hearing from 50-55 port and government speakers.

 

Both sponsorships and tabletop exhibits offer excellent opportunities for you to connect and showcase your innovative products and services for industry professionals.

 

To reserve a sponsorship, complete the application at the end of the sponsorship document, and to reserve your tabletop, add an exhibition through the registration process.

UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance sustainability, foster innovation, and promote community well-being. Announced at the South Bay Summit, the partnership focuses on collaborative research, workforce development, and eco-friendly practices, particularly benefiting communities around the port, such as San Pedro and Wilmington. Existing collaborations include projects on carbon dioxide removal, greenhouse gas emissions, and marine population tracking. UCLA South Bay, a key site for this partnership, will expand learning opportunities in sustainability and environmental justice. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka highlighted the long-term potential of this alliance to optimize operations and reduce emissions.

Port Logistics Refrigerated Services (PLRS) at Port Tampa Bay has debuted a new Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Crane, enhancing refrigerated and break-bulk cargo handling as well as heavy lift operations. The energy-efficient crane, the third at PLRS, supports the facility’s growing trade with Latin America and strengthens its capacity to serve Florida’s expanding food and beverage market. PLRS operates a 135,000-square-foot temperature-controlled facility with over 4,000 pallet positions and is positioned to double its reefer plugs by 2025. Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson highlighted the strategic importance of this investment in meeting market demands and supporting regional supply chains. The addition aligns with the port’s commitment to infrastructure growth as Florida’s largest and most dynamic port.

Cliff Pyron, Chief Commercial Officer of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Containerization & Intermodal Institute at the Connie Awards in Newark, NJ. Recognized for over four decades of leadership, Pyron's career spans liner shipping, integrated logistics, and port operations. During his tenure at GPA, container volumes more than doubled, and auto and heavy machinery volumes grew nearly threefold. Pyron expressed gratitude for the industry’s support and encouraged others to "dream big" and pursue their goals. GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch highlighted Pyron’s lasting contributions to global trade and Georgia’s economic growth.